Judge: Woman accused in Walmart knife attack is receiving treatment

ROGERSVILLE — A shoplifting suspect who allegedly swung a knife at Rogersville Walmart employees earlier this month was released on recognizance pending a Jan. 9 preliminary hearing, but only under strict guidelines that include regular appointments with a mental health caseworker.

Patricia Klynne Holden, 27, 229 Clay Street, Rogersville, was arrested at the Rogersville Walmart on Dec. 2 after store security allegedly observed her stuff $215 worth of movies and CDs into her backpack.

After being taken to the store’s loss prevention office, Holden allegedly pulled a knife and swung it at two store employees. Employees were able to detain her in the office by holding the door shut until police arrived.

Holden reportedly told police she attempted to stop her other personality from swinging the knife, but she was unable to control her other personality.

Upon being arrested Dec. 2, Holden was charged with theft under $500, two counts of aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

Her bond was initially set at $75,000 by Hawkins County Sessions Court Judge J. Todd Ross.

Ross told the Times-News Monday he later learned of Holden’s long history of psychiatric treatment.

Since taking office in September, Ross has initiated a program with Frontier Health to get defendants treatment that they wouldn’t be able to receive in jail.

“Through the Frontier Health caseworker we were able to arrange for Ms. Holden to meet on (last) Thursday with her caseworker and her therapist, get her evaluated, get her back into some treatment, and get her back on whatever medication she needs to be on,” Ross said. “She is to report back to me in the morning (Tuesday) to let me know she’s met all her appointments and not had any more problems. We’re keeping a close eye on her. Her case manager is meeting with her on a pretty regular basis, keeping in close contact with her.”

Ross added, “She couldn’t have made that bond, and we can’t treat her for what she needed to be treated for in the jail. I see a lot of cases like this where they need treatment more than they need jail, and we can’t offer what they need in jail. I’m trying to find ways to think outside the box and work with them.”

Holden stated during a court appearance last week she hadn’t taken her medication prior to her arrest and didn’t remember the incident at Walmart.

Aside from meeting regularly with her caseworker, Ross set a condition on Holden’s release that she is also prohibited from being in public without a responsible adult.